Abstract: Thailand is one of the world-s leaders of rice
producers and exporters. Farmers have to increase the rice cultivation
frequency for serving the national increasing of export-s demand. It
leads to an elimination of rice residues by open burning which is the
quickest and costless management method. The open burning of rice
residue is one of the major causes of air pollutants and greenhouse
gas (GHG) emission. Under ASEAN agreement on trans-boundary
haze, Thailand set the master plan to mitigate air pollutant emission
from open burning of agricultural residues. In this master plan,
residues incorporation is promoted as alternative management
method to open burning. However, the assessment of both options in
term of GHG emission in order to investigate their contribution to
long-term global warming is still scarce or inexistent. In this study, a
method on rice residues assessment was first developed in order to
estimate and compare GHG emissions from rice cultivation under
rice residues open burning and the case with incorporation of the
same amount of rice residues, using 2006 IPCC guidelines for
emission estimation and Life Cycle Analysis technique. The
emission from rice cultivation in different preparing area practice
was also discussed.
Abstract: Categorical data based on description of the
agricultural landscape imposed some mathematical and analytical
limitations. This problem however can be overcome by data
transformation through coding scheme and the use of non-parametric
multivariate approach. The present study describes data
transformation from qualitative to numerical descriptors. In a
collection of 103 random soil samples over a 60 hectare field,
categorical data were obtained from the following variables: levels of
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, pH, hue, chroma, value and data on
topography, vegetation type, and the presence of rocks. Categorical
data were coded, and Spearman-s rho correlation was then calculated
using PAST software ver. 1.78 in which Principal Component
Analysis was based. Results revealed successful data transformation,
generating 1030 quantitative descriptors. Visualization based on the
new set of descriptors showed clear differences among sites, and
amount of variation was successfully measured. Possible applications
of data transformation are discussed.
Abstract: Three batches of yogurts were made with soy protein
isolate (SPI) supplemented with 2% (S2), 4% (S4) or 6% (S6) of
skim milk powder (SMP). The fourth batch (control; S0) was
prepared from SPI without SMP supplementation. Lactobacillus
delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus ATCC 11842 (Lb 11842) and
Streptococcus thermophilus ST 1342 (ST 1342) were used as the
starter culture. Biotransformation of the inactive forms, isoflavone
glycosides (IG) to biologically active forms, isoflavone aglycones
(IA), was determined during 28 d storage. The viability of both
microorganisms was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in S2, S4, and S6
than that in S0. The ratio of lactic acid/acetic acid in S0 was in the
range of 15.53 – 22.31 compared to 7.24 – 12.81 in S2, S4 and S6.
The biotransformation of IG to IA in S2, S4 and S6 was also
enhanced by 9.9 -13.3% compared to S0.
Abstract: The effects of global warming on India vary from the
submergence of low-lying islands and coastal lands to the melting of
glaciers in the Indian Himalayas, threatening the volumetric flow rate
of many of the most important rivers of India and South Asia. In
India, such effects are projected to impact millions of lives. As a
result of ongoing climate change, the climate of India has become
increasingly volatile over the past several decades; this trend is
expected to continue.
Climate change is one of the most important global environmental
challenges, with implications for food production, water supply,
health, energy, etc. Addressing climate change requires a good
scientific understanding as well as coordinated action at national and
global level. The climate change issue is part of the larger challenge
of sustainable development. As a result, climate policies can be more
effective when consistently embedded within broader strategies
designed to make national and regional development paths more
sustainable. The impact of climate variability and change, climate
policy responses, and associated socio-economic development will
affect the ability of countries to achieve sustainable development
goals.
A very well calibrated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (R2 =
0.9968, NSE = 0.91) was exercised over the Khatra sub basin of the
Kangsabati River watershed in Bankura district of West Bengal,
India, in order to evaluate projected parameters for agricultural
activities. Evapotranspiration, Transmission Losses, Potential
Evapotranspiration and Lateral Flow to reach are evaluated from the
years 2041-2050 in order to generate a picture for sustainable
development of the river basin and its inhabitants.
India has a significant stake in scientific advancement as well as
an international understanding to promote mitigation and adaptation.
This requires improved scientific understanding, capacity building,
networking and broad consultation processes. This paper is a
commitment towards the planning, management and development of
the water resources of the Kangsabati River by presenting detailed
future scenarios of the Kangsabati river basin, Khatra sub basin, over
the mentioned time period.
India-s economy and societal infrastructures are finely tuned to the
remarkable stability of the Indian monsoon, with the consequence
that vulnerability to small changes in monsoon rainfall is very high.
In 2002 the monsoon rains failed during July, causing profound loss
of agricultural production with a drop of over 3% in India-s GDP.
Neither the prolonged break in the monsoon nor the seasonal rainfall
deficit was predicted. While the general features of monsoon
variability and change are fairly well-documented, the causal
mechanisms and the role of regional ecosystems in modulating the
changes are still not clear. Current climate models are very poor at
modelling the Asian monsoon: this is a challenging and critical
region where the ocean, atmosphere, land surface and mountains all
interact. The impact of climate change on regional ecosystems is
likewise unknown. The potential for the monsoon to become more
volatile has major implications for India itself and for economies
worldwide. Knowledge of future variability of the monsoon system,
particularly in the context of global climate change, is of great
concern for regional water and food security.
The major findings of this paper were that of all the chosen
projected parameters, transmission losses, soil water content,
potential evapotranspiration, evapotranspiration and lateral flow to
reach, display an increasing trend over the time period of years 2041-
2050.
Abstract: Raw wood vinegar was purified by both standing and
filtering methods. Toxicity tests were conducted under laboratory
conditions by the topical application method (contact poison) and
feeding method (stomach poison). Larvicidal activities of wood
vinegar at four different concentrations (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 %)
were studied against second instar larvae of housefly (Musca
domestica L.). Four replicates were maintained for all treatments and
controls. Larval mortality was recorded up to 96 hours and compared
with the larval survivability by two methods of larvicidal bioassay.
Percent pupation and percent adult emergence were observed in
treated M. domestica. The study revealed that the feeding method
gave higher efficiency compared with the topical application method.
Larval mortality increased with increasing concentration of wood
vinegar and the duration of exposure. No mortality was found in
treated M. domestica larvae at minimum 10% concentration of wood
vinegar through the experiments. The treated larvae were maintained
up to pupa and adult emergence. At 30% maximum concentration
larval duration was extended to 11 days in M. domestica for topical
application method and 9 days for feeding method. Similarly the
pupal durations were also increased with increased concentrations
(16 and 24 days for topical application method and feeding method
respectively at 30% concentration) of the treatments.
Abstract: Post-anthesis drought stress is the most important
problem affecting wheat production in dryland fields, specially in
Mediterranean regions. The main objective of this research was to
evaluate drought tolerance indices in dryland wheat genotypes under
post-anthesis drought stress. The research was including two different
experiments. In each experiment, twenty dryland bread wheat
genotypes were sown in a randomized complete blocks design
(RCBD) with three replications. One of experiments belonged to
rain-fed conditions (post-anthesis drought stress) and other
experiment was under non-stress conditions (with supplemental
irrigation). Different drought tolerance indices include Stress
Tolerance (Tol), Mean Productivity (MP), Geometric Mean
Productivity (GMP), Stress Susceptibility Index (SSI), Stress
Tolerance Index (STI), Harmonic Mean (HAM), Yield Index (YI)
and Yield Stability Index (YSI) were evaluate based on grain yield
under rain-fed (Ys) and supplemental irrigation (Yp) environments.
G10 and G12 were the most tolerant genotypes based on TOL and
SSI. But, based on MP, GMP, STI, HAM and YI indices, G1 and G2
were selected. STI, GMP and MP indices had high correlation with
grain yield under rain-fed and supplementary irrigation conditions
and were recognized as appropriate indices to identify genotypes with
high grain yield and low sensitivity to drought stress environments.
Abstract: Plackett-Burman statistical screening of media
constituents and operational conditions for extracellular lipase
production from isolate Trichoderma viride has been carried out in
submerged fermentation. This statistical design is used in the early
stages of experimentation to screen out unimportant factors from a
large number of possible factors. This design involves screening of
up to 'n-1' variables in just 'n' number of experiments. Regression
coefficients and t-values were calculated by subjecting the
experimental data to statistical analysis using Minitab version 15.
The effects of nine process variables were studied in twelve
experimental trials. Maximum lipase activity of 7.83 μmol /ml /min
was obtained in the 6th trail. Pareto chart illustrates the order of
significance of the variables affecting the lipase production. The
present study concludes that the most significant variables affecting
lipase production were found to be palm oil, yeast extract, K2HPO4,
MgSO4 and CaCl2.
Abstract: Cyprus- offshore aquaculture industry has promising
prospects taking into account that Cyprus is an island. Its production
trend is increasing overtaking bigger countries such Greece and Italy.
However, current mooring systems seem to be under-performing
acting as obstacles for its future development. Furthermore, shallow
coastal waters scarcity due to competing industries dictates future
development to come by moving further from shore exposing fish
farms and subsequently mooring systems to harsher environmental
loadings. It is, therefore, of paramount importance to design mooring
systems based on engineering and scientific principles and leave
behind the present “trial and error" methods. This paper presents the
current state of Cyprus- offshore aquaculture industry and focuses of
its mooring designs by proposing a new methodology for designing
more reliable systems, hence ensuring its future.
Abstract: Sunflower stalks were analysed for chemical
compositions: pentosan 15.84%, holocellulose 70.69%,
alphacellulose 45.74%, glucose 27.10% and xylose 7.69% based on
dry weight of 100-g raw material. The most optimum condition for
steam explosion pretreatment was as follows. Sunflower stalks were
cut into small pieces and soaked in 0.02 M H2SO4 for overnight.
After that, they were steam exploded at 207 C and 21 kg/cm2 for 3
minutes to fractionate cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The
resulting hydrolysate, containing hemicellulose, and cellulose pulp
contained xylose sugar at 2.53% and 7.00%, respectively.The pulp
was further subjected to enzymatic saccharification at 50 C, pH 4.8 citrate buffer) with pulp/buffer 6% (w/w)and Celluclast 1.5L/pulp
2.67% (w/w) to obtain single glucose with maximum yield 11.97%.
After fixed-bed fermentation under optimum condition using
conventional yeast mixtures to produce bioethanol, it indicated
maximum ethanol yield of 0.028 g/100 g sunflower stalk.
Abstract: Two indica varieties, IR36 and ‘Suweon 258’ (“S”)
are middle-heading in southern Japan. 36U, also middle-heading, is
an isogenic line of IR36 carrying Ur1 (Undulate rachis-1) gene.
However, late-heading plants segregated in the F2 population from
the F1 of S × 36U, and so did in the following generations. The
concerning lateness gene is designated as Ex. From the F8 generation,
isogenic-line pair of early-heading and late-heading lines, denoted by
“E” (ex/ex) and “L” (Ex/Ex), were developed. Genetic analyses of
heading time were conducted, using F1s and F2s among L, E, S and
36U. The following inferences were drawn from the experimental
results: 1) L, and both of E and 36U harbor Ex and ex, respectively;
2) Besides Ex, S harbors an inhibitor gene to it, i.e. I-Ex which is a
novel finding of the present study. 3) Ex is a dominant allele at the
E1 locus.
Abstract: Composting is the process in which municipal solid
waste (MSW) and other organic waste materials such as biosolids
and manures are decomposed through the action of bacteria and other
microorganisms into a stable granular material which, applied to
land, as soil conditioner. Microorganisms, especially those that are
able to degrade polymeric organic material have a key role in speed
up this process. The aim of this study has been established to
isolation of microorganisms with high ability to production
extracellular enzymes for degradation of natural polymers that are
exists in MSW for decreasing time of degradation phase. Our
experimental study for isolation designed in two phases: in first
phase we isolated degrading microorganism with selected media that
consist a special natural polymer such as cellulose, starch, lipids and
etc as sole source of carbon. In second phase we selected
microorganism that had high degrading enzyme production with
enzymatic assay for seed production. However, our findings in pilot
scale have indicated that usage of this microbial consortium had high
efficiency for decreasing degradation phase.
Abstract: The heterotrophic seedling growth can be defined as a
product of two components: (1) the weight of mobilized seed reserve,
and (2) conversion efficiency of utilized seed reserve to seedling
tissue. The first component can be further divided into (1) initial seed
weight, and (2) the fraction of seed reserve, which is mobilized. The
objective of this study was the identification of the sensitive seedling
growth component(s) in response to drought and salinity stresses.
Two experiments were separately conducted using various salinity
levels (osmotic pressure) of 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1, 1.25 and 1.5 MPa
created using NaCl as first experiment and by polyethylene glycol
(drought stress) of 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1, 1.2 and 1.4 MPa in second
experiment. Seeds of five crops species (Hordeum vulgare, Brassica
napus, Zea mays, Medicago sativa and Medicago scutellata) were
used in each experiment. In both experiments, seedling growth,
fraction of seed reserve utilization and weight of mobilized seed
reserve decreased with increasing drought and salt intensity.
However, drought and salinity stresses had no effect on the
conversion efficiency. It was concluded that the sensitive component
of seedling growth is the weight of mobilized seed reserve.
Abstract: Drought is one of the most important natural disasters which is probable to occur in all regions with completely different climates and in addition to causing death. It results in many economic losses and social consequences. For this reason. Studying the effects and losses caused by drought which include limitation or shortage of agricultural and drinking water resources. Decreased rainfall and increased evapotranspiration. Limited plant growth and decreased agricultural products. Especially those of dry-farming. Lower levels of surface and ground waters and increased immigrations. Etc. in the country is statistical period (1988-2007) for six stations in Roudbar town were used for statistical analysis and calculating humid and dry years. The dependable rainfall index (DRI) was the main method used in this research. Results showed that during the said statistical period and also during the years 1996-1998 and 2007. more than half of the stations had faced drought. With consideration of the conducted studies. Drawing diagrams and comparing the available data with those of dry and humid years it was found that drought affected agricultural products (e.g.olive) in a way that during the year 1996 1996 drought. Olive groves of Roudbar suffered the greatest damages. Whereupon about 70% of the crops were lost.
Abstract: The basis of examines is survey of 500 in the years
2002-2010, which was selected according to homogeneity of land
cover and where 1090 revenues were evaluated. For achieved yields
of winter wheat is obtained multicriterial regression function
depending on the major factors influencing the consumption of
nitrogen. The coefficient of discrimination of the established model is
0.722. The increase in efficiency of fertilization is involved in supply
of organic nutrients, tillage, soil pH, past weather, the humus content
in the subsoil and grain content to 0.001 mm. The decrease in
efficiency was mainly influenced by the total dose of mineral
nitrogen, although it was divided into multiple doses, the proportion
loamy particles up to 0.01 mm, rainy, or conversely dry weather
during the vegetation. The efficiency of nitrogen was found to be the
smallest on undeveloped soils and the highest on chernozem and
alluvial soils.
Abstract: Characterized as rich mineral substances, low
temperature, few bacteria, and stability with numerous implementation
aspects on aquaculture, food, drinking, and leisure, the deep sea water
(DSW) development has become a new industry in the world. It has
been report that marine algae contain various biologically active
compounds. This research focued on the affections in cultivating
Sagrassum cristaefolium with different concentration of deep sea
water(DSW) and surface sea water(SSW). After two and four weeks,
the total phenolic contents were compared in Sagrassum cristaefolium
culturing with different ways, and the reductive activity of them was
also be tried with potassium ferricyanide. Those fresh seaweeds were
dried with oven and were ground to powder. Progressively, the marine
algae we cultured was extracted by water under the condition with
heating them at 90Ôäâ for 1hr.The total phenolic contents were be
executed using Folin–Ciocalteu method. The results were explaining
as follows: the highest total phenolic contents and the best reductive
ability of all could be observed on the 1/4 proportion of DSW to SSW
culturing in two weeks. Furthermore, the 1/2 proportion of DSW to
SSW also showed good reductive ability and plentiful phenolic
compositions. Finally, we confirmed that difference proportion of
DSW and SSW is the major point relating to ether the total phenolic
components or the reductive ability in the Sagrassum cristaefolium. In
the future, we will use this way to mass production the marine algae or
other micro algae on industry applications.
Abstract: In this study, in order to clarify wind-induced
phenomena, especially vertical mixing of density stratification in a
closed water area with floating-leaved plants, we conducted hydraulic
experiments on wind flow characteristics, wind wave characteristics,
entrainment phenomena and turbulent structure by using a wind tunnel
test tank and simulated floating-leaved plants. From the experimental
results of wind flow and wind wave characteristics, we quantified the
impact of the occupancy rate of the plants on their resistance
characteristics. From the experimental results of entrainment
phenomena, we defined the parameter that could explain the
magnitude of mixing between the density stratifications, and
quantified the impact of the occupancy rate on vertical mixing
between stratifications. From the experimental results of the turbulent
structure of the upper layer, we clarified the differences in small-scale
turbulence components at each occupancy rate and quantified the
impact of the occupancy rate on the turbulence characteristics. For a
summary of this study, we theoretically quantified wind-induced
entrainment phenomena in a closed water area with luxuriant growth
of floating-leaved plants. The results indicated that the impact of
luxuriant growth of floating-leaved plants in a closed water body
could be seen in the difference in small-scale fluid characteristics, and
these characteristics could be expressed using the small-scale
turbulent components.
Abstract: To investigate the production of cellulases from Aspergillus heteromorphus, submerged fermentation was performed using wheat straw as substrate. Optimization of saccharification conditions like pH, temperature and time were studied. Highest reducing sugar was released on 5th day at 5 pH, 30° C temperature. When A. heteromorphous was grown on wheat straw in submerged fermentation after 5 days incubation at 30 ° C, 3.2 IU/ml and 83 IU/ml, filter paper activity and CMCase activity respectively.
Abstract: A finite element analysis was conducted to determine
the effect of moisture diffusion and hygroscopic swelling in rice. A
parallel simple stochastic modeling was performed to predict the
number of grains cracked as a result of moisture absorption and
hygroscopic swelling. Rice grains were soaked in thermally (25 oC)
controlled water and then tested for compressive stress. The
destructive compressive stress tests revealed through compressive
stress calculation that the peak force required to cause cracking in
grains soaked in water reduced with time as soaking duration was
extended. Results of the experiment showed that several grains had
their value of the predicted compressive stress below the von Mises
stress and were interpreted as grains which become cracked and/or
broke during soaking. The technique developed in this experiment
will facilitate the approximation of the number of grains which will
crack during soaking.
Abstract: Field experiment was conducted to investigate the combine use of animal manure and inorganic fertilizer on growth and yield performance of vegetable cowpea. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments. Poultry manure, cattle manure and goat manure were evaluated with recommended level of inorganic fertilizer for vegetable cowpea. The highest crop yield was obtained by the application of poultry manure combined with the recommended level of inorganic fertilizer. The lowest yield was obtained by the application of goat manure only. In addition, the results revealed that the goat manure and cattle manure were inferior to poultry manure as a source of organic manure for vegetable cowpea cultivation. The animal manure combine with chemical fertilizer gave a higher yield when compared to the sole application of animal manure. The soil analysis showed that the nitrogen content and phosphorus content of poultry manure treated plots were higher than other treatments tested. But potassium content was higher in goat manure treated plots. The results further revealed that the poultry manure has a beneficial effect on crop growth and yield compared with other treatments. Therefore, the combined use of poultry manure with inorganic fertilizer application has been recognized as the most suitable way of ensuring high crop yield.
Abstract: This study carried out to determine the effect of plant
densities on some agronomic characteristics of four safflower cultivars in spring planting. The experiment was conducted at Yazd,
Iran- using a factorial in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Cultivars were including Arak, IL, Asteria and Local and plant densities were 10, 13.3, 20 and 40 plant/m2. Number
of seeds/head, number of heads/plant, HI, 1000-seed weight and seed yield significantly decreased as planting density increased. With increasing planting density, LAI, plant height, first branch height and
biological yield increased. The highest seed yield was obtained in 13.3 plant/m2 (2167 kg/ha). There were significant differences
between cultivars. Local cv. had higher seed yield than the other cultivars mainly due to higher heads/plant and seeds/head.